Popular VPN provider protects journalists with emergency free plan

IPVanish
(Image credit: Future)

One of our featured best VPN providers, IPVanish, has launched a free Emergency VPN plan with the aim of keeping anyone subject to online surveillance or censorship safe.

Through Emergency VPN, journalists and other individuals who may be censored can gain access to three months of no-log VPN access for free. To get access to Emergency VPN, individuals must validate their qualifications and eligibility by submitting a support request along with their credentials.

Doug Haden, VP of customer success at IPVanish, explained: “Increasingly, citizens around the world are being silenced for fighting against oppression, which stands in stark contrast to IPVanish’s commitment to a free and open internet. 

"We’re proud to offer this tool to protect users’ communications and maintain privacy when sharing information online.” 

Chief commercial officer at IPVanish, Subbu Sthanu, noted that Emergency VPN is part of IPVanish's efforts in fighting censorship: 

“As founding members of the VPN Trust Initiative and long-time supporters of the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the U.S. National Cybersecurity Alliance in the fight against censorship and surveillance, IPVanish is proud to support individuals and organizations advocating for online privacy and internet freedom.

“We recognize that privacy isn’t just a convenience for some; it’s a requirement to maintain their safety. We’re proud to provide free Emergency VPN access to those helping to distribute vital information.”

Emergency VPN was developed with "situations of relief, political unrest, turmoil, or other restrictions on internet access" in mind. As such, not only does it offer encryption for all data and communications, meaning they cannot be spied on, users can also obfuscate their location. This adds another layer of security and protection against those who want to silence them or pry on their internet activity.

IPVanish has recommended that those who will be traveling to areas impacted by online censorship apply for Emergency VPN before traveling. For those who are currently in areas where the internet is censored, IPVanish recommends applying for Emergency VPN immediately. You can learn more about Emergency VPN on IPVanish's website.

Olivia Powell
Tech Software Commissioning Editor

Olivia joined Tom's Guide in October 2023 as part of the core Future Tech Software team, and is the Commissioning Editor for Tech Software. With a background in cybersecurity, Olivia stays up-to-date with all things cyber and creates content across TechRadar Pro, TechRadar and Tom’s Guide. She is particularly interested in threat intelligence, detection and response, data security, fraud prevention and the ever-evolving threat landscape.

Read more
The outline of a hand holding a phone, wrapped in barbed wire to indicate censorship
What are anti-censorship features and how is Proton VPN leading the way?
Proton VPN logo and in-app screenshots
"If you control online, you control everything" – Proton is taking the fight to internet censorship
Cartoon of person holding a phone, with Wi-Fi symbol behind them
NordVPN launches NordWhisper – and government censorship should be scared
Broken speech bubble on red background
New research shows 4.8 billion people affected by internet censorship in 2024
Chelsea Manning speaking at the NymVPN launch event
Chelsea Manning-backed NymVPN launches in bid to win the "censorship arms race"
Pakistan flag depicted as key on keyboard
Pakistan's government introduces VPN permits to combat usage
Latest in VPNs
Large group of protesters in Turkey following Instanbul mayor's arrest
Turkey sees huge VPN usage spike amid reports of social media crackdown
NordVPN logo on a blue background
NordVPN drops to its lowest price this year – here's what you need to know
ExpressVPN logo above mobile devices
ExpressVPN lays off undisclosed number of employees
The outline of a hand holding a phone, wrapped in barbed wire to indicate censorship
What are anti-censorship features and how is Proton VPN leading the way?
Hacker typing on laptop in darkened room
Hackers create "BRUTED" tool to attack VPNs – how to stay safe
NordProtect logo on black background
NordVPN's NordProtect cyber insurance goes solo – and adds a key new feature
Latest in News
A magnifying glass on top of the Steam logo in a web browser
Valve just pulled a malicious game demo spreading info-stealing malware from Steam
Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Scuderia Ferrari looks on during Sprint Qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China, on March 21, 2025. (Photo by Song Haiyuan/Paddocker/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
How to watch Chinese Grand Prix 2025 online – stream F1 without cable, qualifying highlights
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Saturday, March 22 (#650)
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 — 7 biggest questions that need answers at Nintendo Direct April 2
John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction
7 best gangster movies, ranked — and where you can stream them
iPhone 17 Air render
iPhone 17 Air — new survey could be bad news for Apple's super thin iPhone